tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45592486376393531652017-09-21T13:10:18.596-07:00Bricks and BouquetsWhat more can we say?! Bricks and bouquets. Sometimes you just have to get these things out into the open.jorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559248637639353165.post-68837005658317113992015-04-01T18:16:00.002-07:002015-04-01T18:16:23.342-07:00Brick to: binboom Binary Boom Binary Options CITrade brokers reviewWow, check this out. &nbsp;Promotional email says:<br /><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"Yeah, I have no&nbsp;clue why he's giving this thing away but he's</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">not even taking an email address for it."</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Let's see what they are asking for and not asking for...</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Here's transcript of my back and forth with customer service AFTER my credit card was charged but BEFORE they asked me for additional id's and images to be sent to am ambiguous international fax number:</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">You are now chatting with 'Ashley'</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ashley: Welcome &nbsp;home of Signalsnow and the Autotrade System &nbsp;(24/7customer support) How may I&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">assist you?</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">me: Hi. My credit card has been charged but I am entirely uncomfortable with providing the&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">additional required personal information internationally. Please cancel my transaction and refund my&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">deposit. Thank you.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ashley: cannot do that without personal information. That is our credit card requirement to prevent fraud</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">me: I understand but I am not comfortable. Can you cancel my credit card transaction?</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ashley: i cannot sorry</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ashley: our contract with creditcard processors that run and approve card require this</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">me: I'm trying to understand: If I wish to cancel my transaction because of my discomfort&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">you mean you will keep my money and I cannot trade and I cannot get my money back?</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ashley: that is the companies rule. I just work here</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">me: So if you were a customer what would you do?</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ashley: you agreed to these rules when you opened account with us. Please read terms and conditions</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">me: No. There was no information about the additional id information that was required. Just&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">the credit card form.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ashley: please read terms and conditions they are on our webpage</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">me: THank you. I will speak with Chase credit card services concerning a disputed charge.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">My understanding is that you have charged me $xxx. I cannot cancel it and I may not retrieve it without&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">providing additional personal information internationally. Correct?</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ashley: correct</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">me: OK, thank you!</span>jorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559248637639353165.post-66688116470974032452014-03-23T11:38:00.001-07:002014-03-23T11:40:01.957-07:00Bouquet to: Paperpile, no nonsense alternative reference manager to MendeleyBouquet to: <a href="https://paperpile.com/">Paperpile</a>, no nonsense alternative reference manager to Mendeley. &nbsp;Works in a gmail-like format and is intensely friendly to Google-format documents.<br /><br />If you like it, signal that via a "like" at <a href="http://alternativeto.net/software/paperpile/">Alternativeto.net</a>&nbsp;.jorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559248637639353165.post-12478815759614788582014-03-05T18:25:00.001-08:002014-03-09T21:14:29.622-07:00Bouquet to: Car Chrome Decals to replace peeling Saab emblemsSaabs have a notorious problem with peeling emblem decals on the hood and trunk. &nbsp;Original replacements in new condition are hard to find. &nbsp;Car Chrome Decals has a nice fix with their 3D, UV-protected decals. Find them via eBay or Google. These will cure your Saab emblem blues!<br /><br />1) Start with your old peeling emblem....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_-nw-RkjJp8/UxfcJkmmw-I/AAAAAAAAFQA/ek-3Vxy6ycM/s1600/photo+4+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_-nw-RkjJp8/UxfcJkmmw-I/AAAAAAAAFQA/ek-3Vxy6ycM/s1600/photo+4+(1).JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><br />2) Scrape off any old, flaking (mostly dark blue) paint with a screwdriver or similar implement...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L5PzwlkbvoY/UxfcJ_s5YbI/AAAAAAAAFP4/zPwio2uM6CY/s1600/photo+3+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L5PzwlkbvoY/UxfcJ_s5YbI/AAAAAAAAFP4/zPwio2uM6CY/s1600/photo+3+(1).JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><br />3) Leaving a worse looking emblem. &nbsp;Clean and dry it well...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OpP1OEVJgos/UxfcJ_TvLjI/AAAAAAAAFP8/3mafC2IU8_8/s1600/photo+2+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OpP1OEVJgos/UxfcJ_TvLjI/AAAAAAAAFP8/3mafC2IU8_8/s1600/photo+2+(4).JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><br />4) Then (carefully!) affix the adhesive emblem. &nbsp;Voila!!!...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qwr8q0kX-3Q/UxfcKG7565I/AAAAAAAAFQQ/k-eGaHsErds/s1600/photo+4+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qwr8q0kX-3Q/UxfcKG7565I/AAAAAAAAFQQ/k-eGaHsErds/s1600/photo+4+(2).JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br />Then, don't wash car for two days to allow strong adhesion.<br /><br />jorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559248637639353165.post-31156263195868148992013-12-19T11:13:00.000-08:002013-12-19T11:13:10.902-08:00Brick to: TheWeek online store powered by MentalFlossWith a bunch of email fanfare, TheWeek (The Week) magazine brings you to its online store, powered by Mental Floss. &nbsp;Selecting from its home page images of items and prices, I clicked on six items I had an interest in. &nbsp;After reaching the detail pages for each item, fully FIVE OF THE SIX ITEMS WERE OUT OF STOCK. &nbsp;To discover that they were out of stock, you had to click on more details. &nbsp;Why are out-of-stock items not identified upfront in the catalog pages? &nbsp;Why do they appear on the site at all? <br /><br />My response: I waved "bye bye" to the site for good!jorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559248637639353165.post-71950940334317443952012-03-23T12:50:00.002-07:002014-03-09T21:15:49.801-07:00BRICK TO: eyebuydirect.com gift certificates - expiration date scam!!!!eyebuydirect.com gift certificates EXPIRE WITHOUT NOTICE.&nbsp; I received two gift certificates, used one right away, held the second.&nbsp; When I went to use, it said "expired".&nbsp; No email warning to me, no notice on the gift certificate itself.&nbsp; When I called, I was told "we have no record of older certificates".&nbsp; After some complaints, I was asked for my certificate number, which I gave, and which they then looked up.&nbsp; I suppose the record magically appeared just then.&nbsp; When I asked where was notification that the certificate would expire, I was asked to hold, and then I was told that "there is no notification.&nbsp; You would call us to ask about the expiration date."&nbsp; Unbelievable.&nbsp; I have ordered multiple times from eyebuydirect with mixed but generally more positive results.&nbsp; This ends it.jorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559248637639353165.post-10608694159849681602012-01-14T06:50:00.000-08:002012-01-14T06:50:41.484-08:00Candy Review: Necco Sky Bar ( Skybar )<b>By way of background:&nbsp;</b> Introduced in 1938 - almost 65 years ago - Necco's Sky Bar ( Skybar ) was the first candy to mold chocolate around four separate fillings: caramel, vanilla, peanut and fudge.&nbsp; The candy was a successor entry from Necco brands, whose offerings go all the way back to Necco Wafers in 1847.&nbsp; The overall complexion of Sky Bar ( Skybar ) flavors and molding really hasn't changed over the decades.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KPYG7A5YF68/TxGWDUbPytI/AAAAAAAADdo/P3TkCoeXHsE/s1600/skybar+sky+bar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KPYG7A5YF68/TxGWDUbPytI/AAAAAAAADdo/P3TkCoeXHsE/s640/skybar+sky+bar.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b>For the word geeks among us</b>, the candy name is schizophrenically poised between "Sky Bar" and "Skybar".&nbsp; Although Necco seems to have the registered trademark against the "Skybar" version, its own <a href="http://www.necco.com/OurBrands/Default.asp?BrandID=11">official web page for the product</a> shows both forms.&nbsp; On the package labeling, there is a clear separation between the "SKY" and the "BAR", so we'll go with that form for the balance of this review.<br /><br />To geek out even more, "Necco" itself stands for the New England Confectionary Company and is often referred to as "NECCO" by the company itself.&nbsp; However, again there is inconsistency.&nbsp; The package labeling shows a definite "Necco" labeling; the company profile web page uses "NECCO"; and yet at the bottom of the profile page is "About Necco".&nbsp; Go figure.<br /><br />Enough trivia - let's move to the tasting!<br /><br /><b>Color:&nbsp;</b> The four Sky Bar briquettes are of consistent color - light, medium brown, with Fudge being just a bit darker.&nbsp; <br /><br /><b>Aromatics:</b>&nbsp; Soft, almost marshmallowy milk chocolate.<br /><br /><b>On the palate:&nbsp;</b> These were tasted at room temperature, with hot black coffee used as a palate cleanser between tastes.&nbsp; <br /><br /><b>Caramel:&nbsp;</b> Almost crisp milk chocolate, with surprisingly soft, almost liquid caramel.&nbsp; Simple, fun flavors.<br /><br /><b>Vanilla:&nbsp; </b>The chocolate coating and filling are one in consistency, with the milky white inside adding an overall sweeter, sugary component to the taste.&nbsp; Not noticeably vanilla.<br /><br /><b>Peanut:&nbsp;</b> A soft, almost soft-caramel-consistency middle brings a distinct peanut essence to the milk chocolate experience.<br /><br /><b>Fudge:</b> A solid chocolate fudge core brings a noticeable backbone to the experience.&nbsp; The milk chocolate coating in this case integrates as a background element to an overall chocolate fudge experience.<br /><br /><b>In summary:</b>&nbsp; So, all in all, a pleasant, multi-layered experience, quite calling back the variety and joys I experienced with the Sky Bars of a half-century ago!<br /><br /><br /><br />jorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559248637639353165.post-5556313662920302822011-08-31T19:46:00.000-07:002011-08-31T19:48:25.557-07:00Brick to: U.S. Labor Secretary Solis for confusing American workers with...Hey, you can't really make something this good up.<br /><br />U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis proclaims her new "American-made" limo in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qek5O9TaDhM">this brief Fora clip</a>.<br /><br />Only problem is, the limo is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Equinox">assembled in Canada by Canadian workers with Canadian-made parts.&nbsp; </a>jorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559248637639353165.post-51176888657778880372011-07-23T06:34:00.000-07:002011-07-23T07:21:52.666-07:00Brick to: Total Comfort Inc, Westport, Danbury, Stamford, CTOur central air conditioning system was installed several years by Total Comfort Inc of Westport, Connecticut.&nbsp; It has run well, but needs service now.&nbsp; On a phone call to the Westport office today trying to schedule repair work, we were asked if we were a customer.&nbsp; They said they would only do repairs for customers.&nbsp; We asked what being a customer meant, since we had obviously been a BIG customer in contracting with them to install the system.&nbsp; They asked if we had had the system installed by them WITHIN THE PAST YEAR.&nbsp; We said it was more than a year ago.&nbsp; They said they would not help.&nbsp; And that was that.&nbsp; We're off on our own.&nbsp; Buyer beware.jorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559248637639353165.post-40700510872649119682011-07-10T06:34:00.000-07:002011-07-10T06:34:47.055-07:00Bouquet to: Obama and Boehner for the (so far) failed "historic, grand deal" on debt and taxesThe $4 trillion Obama/Boehner debt-reduction deal, including increased marginal tax rates for high-income US citizens and reduction in Medicare benefits, may lay on the cutting room floor today, but the basis for agreement remains.<br /><br />Specific elimination of tax loopholes - not accompanied by any increase in marginal tax rates - paired with spending cuts of the exact same amount may be a way to achieve net spending savings in excess of&nbsp; the roughly $2 trillion needed to offset the increase necessary in the debt authorization.&nbsp; Oxes from both parties would be gored - but Republicans would not have relented on what seems to be a non-negotiable point; specifically, any increase in marginal tax rates.jorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559248637639353165.post-11545227542761977422011-04-30T07:59:00.000-07:002011-04-30T07:59:23.952-07:00Brick to: Vista for easy but hidden fix to: "no audio output device installed"My Vista Lenovo lost its audio entirely one day.&nbsp; Months later, I began the process to fix it.&nbsp; After much fussing around with drivers and the like, I saw the simple fix:<br />Go to control panel, hardware and sound, manage audio devices.&nbsp; There I saw the culprit message: "no audio output device installed".<br /><br />Again, after much fussing, I realized that I could right click on that screen. There I would see a menu that offered to "show disabled devices" and "show disconnected devices".&nbsp; By tabbing those on, my audio drivers reappeared. I enabled them with right clicks and tested them immediately on that screen with a right click.&nbsp; All was well.<br /><br />Simple fix. Nearly impossible to find.jorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559248637639353165.post-70346370858671644332011-01-25T11:25:00.000-08:002011-01-25T11:25:03.163-08:00Bricks to: Kim and Kourtney Kardashian on the bling debateWhen Kim and Kourtney Kardashian can generate public attention over their <a href="http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b222381_kourtney_kardashian_on_sister_kims.html">squabble</a> over the "vulgarity" of a $115,000 watch, civilization surely must be one step closer to its demise.jorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559248637639353165.post-75805296202682197232010-06-12T12:12:00.000-07:002010-06-12T12:12:18.245-07:00Brick to: U.S. Government spending as a percent of GDPWorld War II, anyone?<br /><br /><span id="usgs302"><span id="usgs302s"><img height="409" src="http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/usgs_line.php?title=US%20Government%20Spending%20As%20Percent%20Of%20GDP&amp;year=1903_2010&amp;sname=US&amp;units=p&amp;bar=0&amp;stack=1&amp;size=m&amp;col=c&amp;spending0=6.80_7.28_6.89_6.81_6.61_7.90_7.84_8.03_8.31_8.09_8.22_9.55_9.80_8.22_9.49_22.12_29.38_12.81_14.31_12.67_11.27_11.49_11.44_11.12_11.75_11.75_11.27_13.07_15.92_21.19_22.38_19.40_20.17_20.00_18.74_20.53_20.66_20.14_19.22_28.15_46.68_50.02_52.99_35.87_23.65_20.47_23.47_23.95_22.38_27.88_29.02_29.27_26.70_26.47_27.21_28.84_28.77_28.74_30.25_28.94_28.71_28.50_26.96_27.45_29.80_30.47_30.08_31.00_31.49_31.36_29.78_30.23_33.62_34.00_32.91_32.02_31.58_33.72_33.64_36.25_36.31_34.44_35.48_35.71_35.09_34.73_34.94_36.01_37.22_37.04_36.31_35.38_35.54_34.69_33.77_33.24_32.65_32.56_33.38_34.75_35.28_34.78_34.79_35.06_34.98_37.12_42.72_44.48&amp;legend=&amp;source=i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_a_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_a_i_i_i_i_a_i_i_i_i_a_i_a_i_a_i_a_i_a_i_a_i_a_i_a_i_a_i_a_i_a_a_a_a_a_a_a_a_a_a_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_a_a_a_a_a_a_a_a_a_a_a_a_a_a_a_a_g_g_g" width="640" /></span></span>jorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559248637639353165.post-10203502442385410972010-06-06T06:31:00.000-07:002010-06-06T06:33:33.876-07:00Brick to: Paul McCartney (former Beatles member) for cheap shot at President George W. BushBrick to former Beatle Paul McCartney for stating in this video that former President George W. Bush does not know "what a library is".&nbsp; The underhanded dig that makes at librarian First Lady Laura Bush is unspeakable and unwarranted.&nbsp; Perhaps it would be equally valuable for musical celebrities who know what a First Lady is.<br /><br /><br /><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rcLEfMhTkHs&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_detailpage&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rcLEfMhTkHs&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_detailpage&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />You kind of get the impression that Jerry Seinfeld isn't quite sure for a moment whether he should be laughing. But he gives in.jorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559248637639353165.post-38692995766575067642010-05-29T08:50:00.000-07:002010-05-29T08:50:27.604-07:00Bricks to: The White House and the Administration over the Congressman Joe Sestak matter<a href="http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/nation/documents/Sestak_Memo.pdf">Here's how White House Counsel Robert Bauer describes the activity</a> associated with allegations about efforts by the White House to impact Congressman Joe Sestak's decision to proceed with his primary race for the Senate seat in Pennsylvania.<br /><br />And below are the laws that several Republicans claim may be broken by these overtures in a <a href="http://republicans.judiciary.house.gov/Media/PDFs/052810%20LS%20to%20Mueller-%20Sestak.pdf">letter they sent to the FBI</a>:<br /><br /><h2>Sec. 600. Promise of employment or other benefit for political<br />activity</h2><pre>Whoever, directly or indirectly, promises any employment,<br /> position, compensation, contract, appointment, or other benefit,<br /> provided for or made possible in whole or in part by any Act of<br /> Congress, or any special consideration in obtaining any such<br /> benefit, to any person as consideration, favor, or reward for any<br /> political activity or for the support of or opposition to any<br /> candidate or any political party in connection with any general or<br /> special election to any political office, or in connection with any<br /> primary election or political convention or caucus held to select<br /> candidates for any political office, shall be fined under this<br /> title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.<br /><br /> AMENDMENTS <br /> 1994 - Pub. L. 103-322 substituted "fined under this title" for<br /> "fined not more than $10,000".<br /> 1976 - Pub. L. 94-453 substituted $10,000 for $1,000 maximum<br /> allowable fine.<br /> 1972 - Pub. L. 92-225 struck out "work," after "position,",<br /> inserted "contract, appointment," after "compensation," and "or any<br /> special consideration in obtaining any such benefit," after "Act of<br /> Congress,", and substituted "in connection with any general or<br /> special election to any political office, or in connection with any<br /> primary election or political convention or caucus held to select<br /> candidates for any political office" for "in any election".<br /><br /> EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1972 AMENDMENT <br /> Amendment by Pub. L. 92-225 effective Dec. 31, 1971, or sixty<br /> days after date of enactment [Feb. 7, 1972], whichever is later,<br /> see section 408 of Pub. L. 92-225, set out as an Effective Date<br /> note under section 431 of Title 2, The Congress.</pre><br /><br /><br /><h2>Sec. 211. Acceptance or solicitation to obtain appointive public<br />office</h2><pre>Whoever solicits or receives, either as a political contribution,<br /> or for personal emolument, any money or thing of value, in<br /> consideration of the promise of support or use of influence in<br /> obtaining for any person any appointive office or place under the<br /> United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not<br /> more than one year, or both.<br /> Whoever solicits or receives any thing of value in consideration<br /> of aiding a person to obtain employment under the United States<br /> either by referring his name to an executive department or agency<br /> of the United States or by requiring the payment of a fee because<br /> such person has secured such employment shall be fined under this<br /> title, or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. This section<br /> shall not apply to such services rendered by an employment agency<br /> pursuant to the written request of an executive department or<br /> agency of the United States.<br /><br /> PRIOR PROVISIONS <br /> A prior section 211, act June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 693,<br /> related to an offer of a gratuity to a revenue officer, prior to<br /> the general amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 87-849 and is<br /> substantially covered in revised section 201.<br /><br /> AMENDMENTS <br /> 1994 - Pub. L. 103-322 substituted "fined under this title" for<br /> "fined not more than $1,000" in two places.<br /> 1951 - Act Sept. 13, 1951, inserted second paragraph.</pre><h2>Sec. 595. Interference by administrative employees of Federal,<br />State, or Territorial Governments</h2><pre>Whoever, being a person employed in any administrative position<br /> by the United States, or by any department or agency thereof, or by<br /> the District of Columbia or any agency or instrumentality thereof,<br /> or by any State, Territory, or Possession of the United States, or<br /> any political subdivision, municipality, or agency thereof, or<br /> agency of such political subdivision or municipality (including any<br /> corporation owned or controlled by any State, Territory, or<br /> Possession of the United States or by any such political<br /> subdivision, municipality, or agency), in connection with any<br /> activity which is financed in whole or in part by loans or grants<br /> made by the United States, or any department or agency thereof,<br /> uses his official authority for the purpose of interfering with, or<br /> affecting, the nomination or the election of any candidate for the<br /> office of President, Vice President, Presidential elector, Member<br /> of the Senate, Member of the House of Representatives, Delegate<br /> from the District of Columbia, or Resident Commissioner, shall be<br /> fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or<br /> both.<br /> This section shall not prohibit or make unlawful any act by any<br /> officer or employee of any educational or research institution,<br /> establishment, agency, or system which is supported in whole or in<br /> part by any state or political subdivision thereof, or by the<br /> District of Columbia or by any Territory or Possession of the<br /> United States; or by any recognized religious, philanthropic or<br /> cultural organization.<br /><br /> AMENDMENTS <br /> 1994 - Pub. L. 103-322, Sec. 330016(1)(L), which directed the<br /> amendment of this section by substituting "under this title" for<br /> "not more than $10,000", could not be executed because the phrase<br /> "not more than $10,000" does not appear in text.<br /> Pub. L. 103-322, Sec. 330016(1)(H), substituted "fined under this<br /> title" for "fined not more than $1,000" in first par.<br /> 1970 - Pub. L. 91-405 substituted reference to Delegate from<br /> District of Columbia or Resident Commissioner for Delegate or<br /> Resident Commissioner from any Territory or Possession.<br /><br /> EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1970 AMENDMENT <br /> Amendment by Pub. L. 91-405 effective Sept. 22, 1970, see section<br /> 206(b) of Pub. L. 91-405, set out as an Effective Date note under<br /> section 25a of Title 2, The Congress.</pre><pre>&nbsp;</pre><pre>&nbsp;</pre>jorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559248637639353165.post-35067083736007556532010-02-06T04:55:00.000-08:002010-02-06T04:55:25.080-08:00Brick to: The Demise of CapitalismAccording to <a href="http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2010/02/05/its_boom-time_for_public_employees_100191.html">a piece by Rich Lowry published in Real Clear Politics</a>,<br />"The New York Times reports that state and local governments have added a net 110,000 jobs since the beginning of the recession, while the private sector has lost 6.9 million. The gap between total compensation of public and private workers has only widened during the downturn, according to USA Today. In 2008, benefits for public employees grew at a rate three times that of private employees."jorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559248637639353165.post-54925149841720502272010-01-31T11:13:00.000-08:002010-01-31T11:13:41.075-08:00Brick to: The Administration for... Its PrioritiesThis from the Associated Press:<br />WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration is considering several steps that would review the legality of the controversial Bowl Championship Series...<br /><div id="TixyyLink" style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />Read More: <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/football/ncaa/01/29/obama.bcs.ap/index.html?xid=si_ncaaf#ixzz0eDdH8yTm">http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/football/ncaa/01/29/obama.bcs.ap/index.html?xid=si_ncaaf#ixzz0eDdH8yTm</a> </div>jorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559248637639353165.post-48286611072213811562009-11-27T06:47:00.000-08:002010-01-08T19:27:36.181-08:00Brick to: Priceline.com for totally out-of-their-mind hotel quality ratingsWe booked two nights in a "3 star Upscale" hotel via priceline.com last weekend, and were registered at the Crowne Plaza Boston-Newton in Newton,MA. <br /><br />Here's the short review: wallpaper peeling; rugs stained and ancient; hallways smelled of must and odor repellent; all furniture fabric in our room was threadbare, with stuffing showing; construction scaffolding everywhere; highway ran under hotel; train line ran next to hotel; noisy all night.<br /><br />Suffice to say that, although we were registered and paid for two nights, we bailed after one night, sacrificing our second night's unrefundable payment to priceline.com. We weren't at all sad to leave the premises a night early. <br /><br />Priceline.com's categorization of this construction zone - aka Crowne Plaza Boston-Newton - as a "3 star Upscale" hotel is about as absurd, over-the-top a misrepresentation of product as I have ever encountered. We need to head back to the area soon, but it won't be to the Crowne Plaza, and it definitely <span style="font-weight: bold;">won't</span> be with Priceline's help.jorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559248637639353165.post-21646475657746408042009-11-10T19:30:00.000-08:002009-11-10T19:34:16.303-08:00Bouquet to: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for telling it like it isThe <a href="http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/?report=national&amp;year=2009&amp;month=10&amp;submitted=Get+Report">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration </a>reported that October, 2009, was the third coldest October on record, fully 4 degrees Fahrenheit below the mean temperature this Century.<br /><br />No wonder <a href="http://people-press.org/report/556/global-warming">Pew Research Center </a>finds increasingly fewer people buying the simplest presumptions about global warming.jorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559248637639353165.post-54252988258704857152009-11-06T15:54:00.000-08:002009-11-06T15:55:56.338-08:00Brick to: Appleseed's for inappropriate telephone solicitationI purchased an item for my mother-in-law from Appleseed's clothing catalog this past summer. Tonight I received a phone call from them that thanked me for being a customer. The fellow then proceeded to try to sell me accidental death and dismemberment insurance!!! I couldn't believe what I was hearing. This was also, mind you, at 6:30pm, right during the dinner hour. I will never buy from Appleseeds again and I urge you to do the same or else you will be bothered by slimy sales calls during dinner!!!jorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559248637639353165.post-20848110740296861802009-04-30T10:14:00.000-07:002009-05-05T08:06:22.208-07:00Brick to: Health Products USAAn order for vitamins placed April 18, 2009, to Health Products USA - which goes by http://healthproducts-usa.com/ - was charged to credit card on April 18, and confirmed as "shipped immediately" by email on April 18. No tracking information was provided. On April 30 - 12 days later - no evidence of product, no follow-up email to indicate delay, no tracking information provided.<br /><br />Email inquiry to admin@healthproducts-usa.com not responded to during business day. Telephone inquiry during business hours (to website-provided phone number 866-877-2810) was not answered by person. Voicemail instructed that inquiries on current orders must go to orders@healthproducts-usa.com. Made such inquiry and am still awaiting reply.<br /><br />At current time, status: BEWARE<br /><br />------------------------<br />One business day after email inquiry, I received email response from admin@healthproducts-usa.com saying order was backordered and has now been shipped.<br /><br />At current time, status: WATCHFUL WAITING<br /><br />------------------------<br />Product arrived May 4, 2009, slightly more that two weeks after order. Looks like may have been shipped same day I received email reply. CONCLUSION: nothing malevolent about company, though somewhat sloppy with customer service and communication practices. Ok to order, but keep copies of your receipts and be prepared to follow-up via email. Do not order if in a hurry for product.jorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559248637639353165.post-4051648990816205782009-04-28T13:37:00.000-07:002009-04-28T13:47:06.233-07:00Bouquet to: The Sun......rising over Burying Hill Beach, Westport, CT...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0MJ0ofU-Pk/SfdqcBePs5I/AAAAAAAACKg/cf6b8b9X_mY/s1600-h/2009+04+28+sunrise+Westport+CT+Burying+Hill+Beach+%2835%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 535px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0MJ0ofU-Pk/SfdqcBePs5I/AAAAAAAACKg/cf6b8b9X_mY/s400/2009+04+28+sunrise+Westport+CT+Burying+Hill+Beach+%2835%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329845713680446354" border="0" /></a><br />yielding an April warmth that allowed many to play later in the afternoon across town at Compo Beach...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0MJ0ofU-Pk/SfdrBmZx9aI/AAAAAAAACKo/ZywxW0jrNqs/s1600-h/2009+04+28+Westport+CT+Compo+Beach.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 519px; height: 388px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0MJ0ofU-Pk/SfdrBmZx9aI/AAAAAAAACKo/ZywxW0jrNqs/s400/2009+04+28+Westport+CT+Compo+Beach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329846359248991650" border="0" /></a>jorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559248637639353165.post-72092213058399349052009-04-05T09:43:00.000-07:002009-04-05T10:06:03.185-07:00Brick to: Bottle Shock - the movieI am a real fan of <a href="http://spiritofwine.blogspot.com/">wine </a>and <a href="http://chezraywinery.blogspot.com/">winemaking</a>. So, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0914797/">Bottle Shock</a> (sometimes seen as "Bottleshock") was a movie of real interest to me. Though it got some historic details of the prophetic <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judgment_of_Paris_%28wine%29">Paris Tasting of 1976</a> (also called Judgment of Paris) France/California wine tasting correct, the over-the-top nature of Bottle Shock as film-making turned me off so much that I could never recommend the movie - even to my most <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oenophilia">oenophilic </a>friends. A big, wine-drenched brick to the film.<br /><br />Consider: 1) the over-the-top last-minute conversion of "too perfect" brown chardonnay into perfectly clear chardonnay; 2) a key secondary character (Gustavo) who disappears entirely from the film once the female lead character (Sam) decides to unexplainedly exit his bed for the lead character (Bo); 3) many instances of 20-20-hindsight prophetic wisdom (Spurrier: "This is only the beginning. Someday, I predict we'll see wines from places like Australia... and even South Africa!").<br /><br />Oh, give me a break. Just stay home and enjoy a bottle of <a href="http://spiritofwine.blogspot.com/2009/02/five-star-wines-best-weve-ever-tasted.html">Mollydooker The Boxer</a> -from Australia - and without all the sanctimoniousness of "Bottle Shock"!jorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559248637639353165.post-71508954325954228682009-03-31T20:07:00.000-07:002009-03-31T20:22:49.701-07:00Brick to: Obama for Putting Fox in Charge of Hen House: Steven Rattner as Car CzarBrick to the Obama administration for placing Steven Rattner in position as special adviser for automobiles ("car czar"). Consider his <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Rattner">Bio</a>: financier (Lazard, Morgan Stanley, Quadrangle) earning investment banking fees from picking apart newspapers and media companies over his career. How have they fared over the decades? Shall we pick apart a few auto companies now for sport - gotta be a few fees in there somewhere, right?jorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559248637639353165.post-62134719440540432032009-03-11T18:41:00.000-07:002009-03-11T18:45:14.489-07:00Brick to: Verizon FiOS help line 888-GET-FIOS (888-438-3467)Verizon FiOS web site (verizon.com/fiostv) cannot find my home address, nor any address near my home. Site responds:<br /><br /> <!-- Here the Body Contents starts--> <table width="574" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr> <td class="topimageheader_b_dkgrey" valign="middle" width="574" align="left"> Address Still Not Found <!--Internal IR - Redirection to Address entry page for "Address Not Found" scenario - End--> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="middle" align="left" height="15"><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left"> Sorry, we are still unable to find your address. Please edit your information and try again.<br /><br />Please call 888-GET-FiOS for further assistance. Representatives are available 7 days a week, 8:00 am to Midnight (Eastern Time). </td></tr></tbody></table><br />So, it is 9:47 p.m. Eastern Time. I called. Entered all information. Recording said, essentially, "Normally, I would get you a representative. But our offices are closed now. Please visit our website."<br /><br />Think I'll go with AT&amp;T Uverse!jorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559248637639353165.post-88627099570164504902009-02-27T09:26:00.000-08:002009-02-27T09:28:53.405-08:00Bricks to: The Administration's "Hard Choices" BudgetThe Wall Street Journal shows the Administration's "Hard Choices" budget with a 40.9% annual increase in Ms. Clinton's State Department. Please raise your hand if your household budget is being increased 40.9% for the year ahead. Check out the graphics <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123569595154988673.html#project%3DOBAMABUDGET09%26articleTabs%3Dinteractive">here</a>.jorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.com0